Southern Caribbean Cruise Itinerary Suggestions...

[sslkrissi]

Hi all,
I will be sailing on the Caribbean Princess in March of next year for my honeymoon, with stops in the following places: Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigua, Tortola, and St. Thomas. I am looking for suggestions as to which 2 of these stops would be best to dive. Both my fiance and I are newly certified. From the little research I have done so far, it seems like St. Lucia and Tortola are the 2 favorites.

Thanks

 

[Rhone Man]

I know I am biased, but I seriously don't think it is any contest: in the BVI the cruise ship passengers are taken to dive the Wreck of the RMS Rhone, which is one of the finest dives in the Caribbean (non-penetration dive, just in case you are worried).

Don't know where they go in the other places, but I'd bet pretty serious money they won't be as good as the Rhone.

St Thomas you may want to reserve for shopping - bit of a mecca for duty free shopping.

 

[wreckchick]

Somehow, I knew I was going to read that...

RhoneMan, why do you think that St. Thomas should only be for shopping?

Rachel

 

[Rhone Man]

Somehow, I knew I was going to read that...

RhoneMan, why do you think that St. Thomas should only be for shopping?

Rachel

You are being a little unfair Rachel - I didn't say St T was only good for shopping, I said that it had good shopping - certainly all the cruise ships that stop in Tortola, visitors are told to skip Tortola for shopping and wait for St T. I have never been diving in St T (or any of the other destinations) so I wouldn't comment on diving there.

However, the Rhone is an excellent dive (a statement I am sure you'd agree with...) and so if you are going to dive 2 out of 5 stops, I am pretty sure that has to be one of two best options. You read regular complaints on SB about cruise ship passengers who were taken to look at some rocks just outside of the harbour for a "dive", and I was trying to reassure the OP that he doesn't have to worry about that sort of thing in the BVI. He'll just get two excellent dives on a 140 year old shipwreck.

 

[wreckchick]

So, your post should read, "You should reserve shopping for St. Thomas."

The word order makes a huge difference.

R

 

[Scuba Laura]

Rhone Man - St. Thomas has alot of wrecks, and many who have dove the Rhone, say hands down the Wit Shoal is so much better. Come on over and see for yourself.

 

[Rhone Man]

Rhone Man - St. Thomas has alot of wrecks, and many who have dove the Rhone, say hands down the Wit Shoal is so much better. Come on over and see for yourself.

Funny, I had never heard of it, but I agree from the web it looks like an excellent dive:

DREAMWRECKS | Underwater Photo and Painting Gallery

Next time I am taking a break on St John I will certainly look into diving it.

Although I am not not looking for an argument, and please correct me if I am wrong, it doesn't sound like the sort of dive you would routinely take cruise ship visitors to...

 

[Rhone Man]

So, your post should read, "You should reserve shopping for St. Thomas."

The word order makes a huge difference.

R

Sorry - tried to edit the original post, but too much time has now lapsed. Please take it as read that that was what I meant.